Indiana to take smartphone plunge

QR barcodes take users to state websites

INDIANAPOLIS - State government is jumping into the smart phone world, offering taxpayers scannable QR codes that drive them to websites with information about state parks, unclaimed property and even legislation.

QR codes – barcodes consisting of black modules on white squares – have been around for years, but they have gained new life with the growth of camera-enabled smart phones that make them interactive.

The Senate Republican Caucus began including QR codes on legislative mailings. When scanned with a free reader app, the QR codes take constituents to their senators' websites where they can learn about their current projects, sign up for e-newsletters, pursue job training, renew license plates, add numbers to the state's Do Not Call list, and review unclaimed property.

Sen. Mike Delph, R-Carmel, said Republicans are trying to leverage technology to make government more accountable, transparent and accessible to constituents.

"With the mobility of society, people are getting their information in different ways than they did 20 years ago with social media and other applications," Delph said. "What we're trying to do is get ahead of the curve and make it easy to learn about the state Senate with this QR code technology."

The state's website, www.in.gov, began using QR codes in June. Robert Paglia, the website's director, said the QR codes have been used 5,287 times by 4,306 visitors.

"The QR code was put in place as a self-service convenience, so as expected, we have not received a ton of feedback," Paglia said. "In regards to the numbers, they are stronger than we originally anticipated as our audience for this service is already in the site via a desktop browser, and they are using the QR code to convert to mobile."

Last year, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources began printing QR codes – which link to the agency's website – on pamphlets, brochures and recreation guides.

Scott Davis, senior webmaster at the DNR, said the QR codes were an experiment at first but have allowed the DNR to hook into the mobile platform, target a specific audience and observe new technologies.

"A lot of people have mobile phones and use them when visiting our state parks," Davis said. "They can simply snap a picture of an interpretive sign and learn more about the park. It has become a good way to interact and receive information."

The codes are not just used by government. They've become prominent parts of community programs as well.

The Project 9/11 memorial, which opened last month in downtown Indianapolis, has its own QR code. It was created by Today's QR, a local company that specializes in the technology.

One of the company's co-founders, who goes only by the name Heid, said providing information in print form means the user must remember the message and the web address.

"That rarely happens," Heid said. "If you have a QR code and give people the opportunity to scan it the moment they're interested, they will have a higher ratio of viewers. The difference is the experience."